Thursday night's meeting of Ardrossan and Saltcoats Rotary Club was well attended by club members and one prospective member with President Bob Sharpe in the chair.

Members were sorry to learn of President-elect Archie's indisposition but were pleased to learn that he was making steady, if slow, progress in Crosshouse Hospital.

The evening was devoted to business matters with no speaker. George Dodds outlined the speakers programme for several meetings in the near future. Iain McFadyen reported on his attempts to contact Ardrossan Academy regarding their participation in this year's Youth Speaks competition with negative results and, as the District deadline had now passed, the matter has been laid to rest for this year.

President Bob indicated that, for Rotary Day (February 23rd), the local libraries were mounting a display of various Rotary projects both local and furth of here including Shelter Boxes with the current crisis in Haiti in mind (a number of local clubs have sent these).

Secretary Jean Cousar reported on the forthcoming Hunterston Quiz when a team of four will represent the club on 10th March - unfortunately there were no takers for a similar event at Erskine club. Donnie Shedden reported on arrangements for the club's Race Night on 26th February in Ardrossan Indoor Bowling Club and it seems that ticket sales are progressing satisfactorily as well as the sale of horses and sponsorship of the races.

Members were also reminded of the need for prizes for the raffle. Donnie also reported on a number of events coming up in the sporting calendar including participation in the annual Glasgow versus Ayrshire curling match when the club will have four representatives taking part.

He also reported that the Friendship Challenge competition will be starting soon with several more clubs from district taking part this year and we were awaiting the challenge from Eastwood club in the first round.

In closing the meeting President Bob announced that, as he will be on holiday for the next six weeks, Past-president Ian Blair will be deputising for him in the absence of President-elect Archie.

All present then wished bon voyage to Assistant Governor Alex Blair and his GSE team in their visit to New Zealand starting next week.